Inspection of in-service Ex equipment

October 2011 IS & Ex

Unsafe conditions and cures.

The inspection of Explosion Protected (Ex) Equipment, together with appropriate maintenance and repair, is critical for safety. In a paper that highlights the differences between electrical and Ex inspections and presents some solutions based on standards covering the subject and best practice from experience Dr. Johannes Auret answers the questions:

* What is the purpose of an Ex inspection?

* We know we need to inspect in-service Ex equipment at least once in two years (periodic inspection). What Grade of inspection must be used (V/C/D)?

* When must additional inspections be done?

* Who is competent to do inspections?

Download the paper in PDF format at: http://instrumentation.co.za/+C15577

For more information contact Johannes Auret, Explolabs, +27 (0)11 316 4601, [email protected], www.explolabs.co.za

Further reading:

Stopping the sparks from flying
IS & Ex
Whenever electrical equipment is required for use in hazardous environments they must be designed with intrinsic safety in mind. Darren Barratt, product sales manager at alarm and event management specialist, Omniflex outlines the importance and key aspects of intrinsic safety design.

Read more...

---

New modules for distributed integration of intrinsically safe signals
Beckhoff Automation IS & Ex
Beckhoff provides a compact acquisition solution for intrinsically safe signals up to zone 0/20 with the IP67-protected EtherCAT Box modules of the EPX series.

Read more...

---

Control and monitoring with only one device
Pepperl+Fuchs IS & Ex
Pepperl+Fuchs has expanded its portfolio of K-System isolated barriers for DIN rail mounting (power rail) with the KCD2-SCS interface module. As the first 2-channel AI/AO intrinsic safety barrier with dual function, the module can be configured individually for analogue input or output control signals.

Read more...

---

Hazardous area solutions
Extech Safety Systems IS & Ex
SEW-EURODRIVE is revolutionising industrial automation with advanced gear units, decentralised drives and the energy-efficient MOVIGEAR system.

Read more...

---

Field service regime key for effective PDS/CPS operation
IS & Ex
While their primary objective is to ensure the safety of people, proximity detection system and collision prevention system installations also have a direct bearing on other critical parameters such as equipment availability and productivity.

Read more...

---

World’s first 5G smartphone for ATEX and IECEx zone 1/21
Extech Safety Systems IS & Ex
i.safe MOBILE has launched the world’s first 5G smartphone for ATEX and IECEx zone 1/21. The intrinsically safe mobile device, which was also developed for use in 5G campus networks, offers companies great flexibility thanks to its wide range of possible applications, especially in the automation sector.

Read more...

---

Fully Ex-certified access point solutions for wireless communication
Pepperl+Fuchs IS & Ex
Pepperl+Fuchs now offers a wireless access point solution that is fully certified in accordance with ATEX/IECEx standards, and forms the basis for end-to-end Wi-Fi communication in hazardous areas.

Read more...

---

Secure, digital communication in potentially explosive atmospheres
Pepperl+Fuchs IS & Ex
Consistently digitalised processes in the smart factory are a matter of course today, but not in potentially explosive atmospheres. The systems and devices used in these areas must have optimal protection mechanisms to ensure maximum safety.

Read more...

---

Functional and compatible intrinsically safe loop approvals
Extech Safety Systems IS & Ex
With all the focus on IS loop approval, it is easy to forget to check that the loop will function correctly to see whether the field device has sufficient power (voltage & current) to operate over the full process range.

Read more...

---

Upgrade your legacy alarm units
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists IS & Ex
Darren Barratt, sales manager at alarm annunciator specialist Omniflex, explains the drawbacks of leaving outdated rack-based alarm annunciator systems in place, and why an upgrade might be simpler than you would expect.

Read more...

---